Influence of dichloromethylene diphosphonate on reactive oxygen species production by human neutrophils

Biphosphonates suppress bone destruction in various diseases. Several studies have demonstrated the potential use of biphosphonate in arthritis. The results of these studies indicate that the effectiveness of the biphosphonates, for inhibiting the arthritic process, is related to their antiresorptive properties. It has been shown that the generation of reactive oxygen species is associated with the formation of new osteoclasts and enhanced bone resorption. We studied the effects of the dichloromethylene diphosphonate on the reactive oxygen species production by activated polymorphonuclear leucocytes, measured by chemiluminescence. Our results indicate a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of dichloromethylene diphosphonate on reactive oxygen species production by polymorphonuclear leucocytes stimulated with N-formil-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, the calcium ionophore A23187 and phorbol myristate acetate. The mechanisms by which this biphosphonate inhibits the reactive oxygen species production by activated polymorphonuclear leucocytes are discussed.